China confers bigger role on Panchen Lama to counter Dalai Lama

In its bid to counter the influential Dalai Lama, China has nominated the Panchen Lama, a young Tibetan monk to its top legislative advisory body, increasing his political role in the Communist nation.
   
Twenty-year-old Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu known as Panchen Lama was among 13 people who yesterday became new members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
   
Their memberships were approved by a meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, which is made up of about 2,200 business leaders, religious figures, academics and celebrities, served in an advisory capacity to the National People's Congress, China's Parliament.

The young Lama whose name is Gyaltsen Norbu, has been given increasing political role in recent years and he appeared along with the Communist Party leaders in recent years praising Chinese rule in Tibet.

His elevation into the CPPCC National Committee came as China made vociferous protest over US president Barack Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama in Washington.

Beijing in recent weeks also attacked Dalai Lama, saying that he ceased to be a Tibetan after his last year's assertion that he was born Tibetan but spiritually an Indian.